PFPA activist Akhmedov faces new charges

Niyameddin Akhmedov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), arrested in a case on financing of terrorism, has been charged with public appeals against the state and illicit trafficking in banned items. Niyameddin Akhmedov pleads not guilty, the PFPA reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 15, 2020, Akhmedov was detained and arrested for 30 days for violating the quarantine and disobeying policemen's demands. His party colleagues state that law enforcers had tortured Akhmedov in order to force him to testify against Ali Kerimli, the PFPA leader. On May 15, Akhmedov was charged with financing terrorism.

On January 19, the new charges were brought against Niyameddin Akhmedov under Article 233-1.1.2 (illegal trafficking in items excluded from civil circulation) and Article 281.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (public appeals directed against the state), the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by advocate Zibeida Sadygova.

Niyameddin Akhmedov rejects the new accusations and considers them "unfounded and absurd," Natig Adilov, the chief of the PFPA's press service, has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Natig Adilov, members of the PFPA still believe that Niyameddin Akhmedov has been arrested because he is an associate of PFPA leader Ali Kerimli and his voluntary bodyguard.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 21, 2021 at 01:10 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.